UXSG @ iSchool X ALASC Collaboration: The Importance of UX in Libraries

by Johanna Rodriguez

In collaboration with the ALA Student Chapter (ALASC), the UX Student Group at iSchool co-hosted an informative online event with moderator Shannon Broden, featuring guest speakers and SJSU iSchool alumni Hannah Nguyen and Emily Espanol and SJSU User Engagement & Insights Librarian, Michael Aguilar. Hannah Nguyen, a marketing specialist at Springshare, became interested in librarianship when she made a career shift from marketing in the healthcare industry to marketing in a public library. Emily Espanol, research and learning librarian at Roseman University, interest in libraries came from reflecting on the higher goals of the library during the pandemic in 2020 and she discovered her personal values aligned with those of the library. Additionally, she became interested in UX through a project in her current library that revolved around creating and updating LibGuides.

Although Michael Aguilar was unable to make it to the event, you may contact him at michael.aguilar@sjsu.edu with any questions regarding UX and librarianship.

User EXperience Defined

Hannah explains UX as “it is just as much about meeting current user needs as it is about identifying challenges for potential users.” It is about helping users succeed in their research journey on any platform. The focus is on the community to aid in making services functional and easily accessible. Emily expands on the topic as it is “the users pathway through all of your services from the physical spaces to the web.” It is about understanding where your users are coming from and where they are headed next with the information they acquire.

Assessment of your physical spaces on what will work for a person coming into the space for the first time.

Visualization?

Visualization can transpire in a lot of different forms, both online and offline, however Hannah states it should be about what can serve the most amount of people and what makes the most sense to them.

Signage
Web Icons
Symbols

UX at Leisure

Emily described UX design can be anywhere. She explains that UX can be a new trail within a park that already has a designated pathway. Which becomes a desired path by the users. In similarity, this metaphor showcases how you can build easier access on a website, through links.

“User experience is not all about technology.“
Shannon Broden

Librarians x Users = UX Awareness

In order to grasp the user’s understanding of UX, Hannah explains that asking is the best policy. Surveys go a long way for librarian feedback as well as testing anything that will be put out for users to use before publication. Emily affirms a needs assessment and reference skills are crucial in order to meet the users needs.

“Constant conversations that should never end.” – Emily Espanol

Learn more about UX

SJSU UX classes for MLIS students
LinkedIn Learning
Coursera
Internships
SJSU Student Groups (ALASC + UXSG @ iSchool)
Networking and relationship building
Open Access resources
Conferences/Panels

Advice for librarians intimidated by UX and vice versa

Collaboration with those around you that have coding/UX experience
UX is simpler than it sounds
Figure out what your users need and work from there
Libraries are community gathering spaces and for example, physical signage is related to UX

Seek out internship opportunities – Hannah

Job opportunities that are library adjacent, especially in UX – Hannah

Learn how to get feedback without taking personal offense – Emily

Seek out opportunities by joining student groups where you can develop librarian/UX skills – Emily